rollin_n_coastin

Yes, that was a concern. However, even when the park owners were adamant that the ride would be built, posters were explaining how that would be, in all likelihood, impossible. The owners were right after all. I'm looking forward to hearing bout how WildFire is. Two amazing RMCs in one year is something incredible. It's really great to see everyone posting and sharing thoughts about the ride. The excitement comes right through. Really looking forward to heading back.

This is the most exciting news of this coaster season I think. I gave in and booked a trip down in June. After not being at Dollywood since the 2010 TPR trip, this is the best reason possible to go back. I find places where seats are assigned fairly flexible and reasonable. I wouldn't lump Disney into the group since they go out of their way to accommodate if you ask. Carowinds didn't mind letting us wait for a back or front seat on Fury, based on crowd levels. Every other place where preferred seat choices aren't guaranteed also depends on the day/ crowds. I'm sure every seat on LR will be fantastic, but I definitely don't mind waiting longer for a seat of choice. Oh, the #itllneveropen thing is nothing compared to the Wildfire thread's doom and gloom scenarios.

Kings Dominion and Canada's Wonderland have a Mondial Revolution, which to me, are the least exciting compared to both the Giant Frisbees and Giant Discoveries. I think the Giant Discoveries, like Black Widow, are my favourites by far.

I'm so glad Kentwood got a Giant Discovery. Those things are great pendulum rides, alongside Giant Frisbees. By far, the park models that I find not to be as enjoyable are the Mondials that CW and KD have, which make for a different ride depending on where you sit, added to the short cycle. I wouldn't say these replace drop towers, though. Totally different.

This is awesome. Another great reason to return to Sweden. I'm glad I finally checked out this thread again after reading all of the definitive arguments earlier in the thread that this project would never happen

Why is there any "rattle directory," period? Folks in this hobby sure get interested in cataloging odd stuff, but so be it. "Rattle me this", indeed. haha Well, as many people say B&Ms are perfect in every way, a rattle, or any vibration for that matter, is worthy of the front page of the Times. In comparison, a thread isn't so bad, as funny as it may be. The only ones I've felt go beyond a rattle for a good head banging or manhood rattling shake are Banshee on a cold day (especially the back row), Batman at SFNE and any hyper with the staggered seating (Behemoth, Diamondback et al.)

Start of season rides on Voyage are awesome, usually between now and the beginning of June. I also liked Legend, even though it is lateral heavy, I never found it to be that rough. Looking forward to trying it again after the refurb.

^Unless these models offer less downtime by controlling the return position of the cars or hydraulic lift issues, I tend to agree. Those two issues seemed to be the biggest causes of downtown with the standard Zac Spin coasters, which S&S seems to have solved in their version. I haven't tried the S&S model yet but looking forward to it. For the Zac Spins, Insane was literally insane and so much fun, and the smaller version in Finland was also a lot of fun. Yet, Green Lantern didn't seem as great at Magic Mountain. It would be cool to see another Zac Spin in North America, especially this new model.

Not sure if anyone saw this from a few days ago, but here's a new version of Intamin's Zac Spin coaster, which adds an LSM launch. Point 1 Point 4 Point 6 Intamin LSM Launch to Zac Spin Coaster

STR was ok but nothing special to warrant all the strange design choices. I hope this doesn't mean that they won't consider a normal flume from Intamin. The Intamin flume at Phantasialand is outstanding.

Wow, it's cool re-visiting this thread to see what's changed since '08. Having had the opportunity to visit a bunch of great and not so great places with TPR since then, I think my top most frustrating parks are clearer now. Top spot so far is Fuji Q. I mean, WTF....and I went on a good day when we got every ride in. The park is so nice and has great rides but when I had to lock up my paper ticket and then try to strap a lose key to my wrist, I thought, ok, maybe this is a one off since it's a new ride and they're "figuring it out?". Nope, wrong. Everything was, "Why? Just, why??". The ride ops were actually friendly but were completely handcuffed by the beyond strange operational policies. An extremely close runner up is Mount Olympus. I think I'm a generally patient, happy and easy going guy. Mount Olympus managed to suck every ounce of joy and happiness out of me over one afternoon. This place is classic bad operations leading to low staff morale. In third place is Indiana Beach, but only for the extremely slow operations on the coasters. Staff was great when I was there last in 2014 and we had a really good time overall.

Not sold on VR. It wasn't a big thing at the park in the early 90s when it was an upcharge and I don't think it will be now, especially on a family coaster. I don't get what turning multi million dollar coasters into simulator rides achieves. If they didn't pull out the action theatre seats they could have used these in there, where the only reality you'd miss out on is a big room.

Love the old school Rotors where the floor drops more than and inch, like the one that used to be at Lake Compounce. It used to help me figure out if I needed to lose some pounds each year based on whether I stuck to the wall or slipped to the ground lol

The 2015 season is over up here, there hasn't been a snow fall, yet, I'm already way too excited for next season. IAAPA coverage is so much fun. It's going to be a long winter...

It's so strange. New Texas Giant, Powder Keg, Maverick and many more, are all so much better than every B&M on the top 10 list. The top three at least make some sense and it'll be great to have Superman back on the list next year once Bizarro finally goes away.

Taron and Lightning Rod are the ones I'd run to first, theoretically. I'm shocked that no one has Fireball or any other Larson on their list? What a great year 2016 is going to be.

One of the biggest features about these new Bizzaro trains when they were promoted is that they were going to get El Toro "U bar" restraints, so they already have them. Everyone seemed to be really excited about that. Personally, I find them uncomfortable on both El Toro and Bizarro. I'd love the old hyper t-bars back like Cedar Point, so without the shin and ankle shackles. I like the new trains a lot otherwise and they'll look great in red and blue. It's the view blocking audio headrests that take away from the experience. Oh happy day of those go

Jim Conklin, who was part of the Conklin Shows family, is working on a new museum/ fun factory for all of the memorabilia currently held by The North American Carnival Museum and Archives in Ottawa. The grand opening is planned for September. Currently with admission by donation, the "Fun Factory" will include carnival food and a small outdoor amusement park when done. I can't wait to check this out, hopefully on its grand opening. I still think Conklin Shows ran the best midways at the CNE and at its former permanent park at Maple Leaf Village in Niagara Falls. They also ran the midway at the Stampede. I didn't realize that the company was around since 1916. Wikipedia tells me that they were the largest traveling show in North America until the family sold the business to North American Midway Management in 2004. I rode my first Schwarzkopf coaster at the CNE, the Dopple Looping, that Conklin used to set up along with the Wild Cat and Mark I coasters. It's awesome to see Jim Conklin still doing cool stuff in the industry. Source: The Toronto Star Reporter: Jennifer Bain Photos: Dave Chidley for the Toronto Star Date: August 25, 2015 Jim Conklin poses on a merry-go-round that's being refurbished for the new Carnival Museum & Fun Factory in Brantford. Conklin is the renovation co-ordinator. Landon Hiebert 9, and relative Gary Mawson check out the museum's main room. The exhibits are in place, but the signage is still being worked on. Landon and Mawson check out some of the items for sale at the carnival museum. Conklin looks at games at the museum. The new museum/fun factory is a small, white building in an industrial part of Brantford. It's not a carnival without snacks like popcorn. Jacob and Landen Reidy are photographed by their grandmother at the new museum/fun factory.

Wow, that really is a tough one. MF makes me smile but Maverick makes me smile even more. It's just about the most perfect coaster for me.

^I wouldn't say it's easy to find when driving. I circled around Jean Drapeau park a few times before finally figuring out where the main entrance was down a diagonal driveway. It was a bit infuriating but fine once you finally get it. At least I got to check out the park, which is really nice. Still, taking transit there is by far the easiest way.

Common sense would suggest that if you lose something, that you could ask one of the many people in uniforms that obviously work there what to do. Or call/ visit lost and found.

The Google cardboard vr headset has been popping up a lot as a marketing thing and it's definitely interesting. Conan used it during his Comic-Con shows for Conan 360 summer, giving it to all of his audience members. This will be a great way to see the animation, fly around and other promo video when it's announced.

Thanks for sharing, great pics! I rode this in Munich in 2002 and it was awesome. It felt like it went on forever....mainly because I had too much beer in me? I do hope that Germany keeps it running and touring for as long as possible. It really is something special. The biggest fair coaster that I've seen is the Schwarzkopf Dopple Looping that came to the CNE each year when Conklin Shows ran the midway. I have no idea what ever happened it it but it was fantastic.

Wow! That is dedication since La Ronde is way out of the way from all the other parks you're visiting. If you're spending a day or two in Montreal and maybe swinging back through US past Lake George/ Great Escape then it make sense. I love that La Ronde still has that Expo '67 vibe and the mini rail is a leftover from the Expo that is pretty cool to ride. It's location next to the city is really unique and makes it feel and look "urban" (aka run down a bit). It's a fun day regardless. It can get pretty hot and crowded though. Have a blast and drive safe.

Crystal Beach on Lake Erie in Ontario. I can't believe I never got to go before it closed, not realizing how close it was. Really glad I got to ride the Comet at Lake George/ Great Escape at least. It sure would have been cool to be around for the Cyclone. As far as smaller parks without much there but a few flats, go karts, blading/ skating, haunted house and a water park, I really loved Wet 'n Wild/ Prudhomme's Landing in Jordan, Ontario, near Niagara. Maple Leaf Village in Niagara Falls was also a lot of fun but torn down to build a casino.